EU imposes sanctions following Navalny's death, bolsters support for Ukraine

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The European Union’s foreign policy chief announced sanctions Monday against those deemed responsible for the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.

Addressing the media following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Josep Borrell also underscored the imperative for swift action both from the EU and the US in light of the situation in Ukraine, emphasizing the significance of transatlantic unity.

"Transatlantic unity is very important," he said, hinting at a collaborative effort to address the escalating crisis in Ukraine.

Borrell, who received updates on the Ukrainian conflict from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba via video conference, revealed that the EU had made pivotal decisions during the meeting.

The first was a substantial increase in the European Peace Fund earmarked for military aid to Ukraine by an additional €5 billion ($5.4 billion).

The second was the imposition of sanctions on around 30 individuals and organizations implicated in Navalny's untimely demise.

While Borrell refrained from disclosing the identities of those targeted by the sanctions, he assured that measures had been agreed upon to hold those responsible for Navalny's fate accountable.

The issue of Russia's frozen assets was also broached during the discussions, with member states expressing robust support for reallocating the assets to bolster military support for Ukraine.

Responding to queries regarding the Ukraine Aid Fund within the European Peace Fund, Borrell clarified its purpose, asserting that it was designated specifically to aid Ukraine rather than foster the development of the European defense industry.

In addition to the focus on Ukraine, Belarus also featured prominently on the meeting's agenda.

Borrell disclosed plans to adopt further measures to bolster support for the Belarusian opposition, aligning with proposals put forth by member countries.

Navalny, 47, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year term in an Arctic penal colony when officials say he collapsed and died after a walk on Feb. 16. Officials said he was in jail for extremist activities, but most governments refuted the charge and said it was his criticism of Putin that landed him behind bars.

He was arrested in January 2021 upon returning to Moscow after being treated for poisoning in a Berlin hospital. Western countries and Navalny himself blamed Russia for the poisoning, a claim the Kremlin denies.

In August 2021, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison for extremism and other crimes. He was already serving an 11-year and five-month sentence for fraud.